Pre Natal
Development
All the developmental theories
which we lengthily discussed dwelt on
the developmental process after birth.
None of them was concerned with
what development went on before
birth. To make of description of
human development complete, it may
be good to understand the beginnings
of the child and adolescent, the
learners.
LIFE BEFORE
BIRTH
The Development Of The Unborn Child
The development of human life in the womb was once a
mystery but science and medicine have changed that Abortion
advocates still try to dehumanize the developing baby in the
womb by speaking of the child as “ a blob of tissue” or “uterine
contents”. But ultrasound images, prenatal surgery and other
advances in obstetrics are shattering the blob of tissue myth.
Dr. Paul Rockwell, a New York physician, made this
profound observations after his amazing encounter with a tiny
unborn baby boy .
The point at which Dr. Rockwell witnessed this unborn baby
8 weeks after conception- is during the period that a majority
abortionist describe as most desirable for performing an
abortion.
The Stages of Pre-Natal
Development
PRE NATAL STAGES
EMBRYONIC PERIOD FETAL PERIOD
GERMINAL PERIOD
(2 to 8 weeks after conception) ( 2-7 months after conception)
(First 2 weeks after conception)
Germinal Period (First 2 weeks after conception)-This
includes:
1. Creation of the zygote
2. Continued Cell Division
3. Attachment of the zygote to the uterine wall
The following are the details of development during this period:
A. 24 to 30 hours after fertilization- the male (sperm) and
female (egg) chromosome unite
B. 36 hours- fertilized ovum, zygote, into 2; 2 cells
C. 48 hours (2 days)- 2 cells become 4 cells
D. 72 hours (3 days)- 4 cells become a small compact ball of
16-32cells
E. 96 hours (4 days)- hollow ball of 64-128 cells
F. 4-5 days- inner cell mass (blastocyst) still free in the uterus
G. 6-7 days- blastocyst attaches to the wall of uterus
H. 11-15 days- blastocyst invades into uterine wall and become
implanted it
Blastocyst- is the inner layer of the cells
that develops during the germinal period,
develops later in the embryo.
Trophoblast- outer layer of cells that
develops also during the germinal period,
later provides nutrition and support for
the embryo.
Embryonic Period (2 to 8 weeks after conception)
The name of the mass cells, zygote, become embryo. The following
development takes place:
A. Cell differentiation intensifies
B. Life-support systems for the embryo develop
C. Organs appear
As the zygote gets attached to the wall of the uterus, 2 layers of cells are
formed. The embryo’s endoderm, the inner layer of cells, develops into
digestive and respiratory system. The outer layer of cells is divided into 2
parts- the ectoderm and the mesoderm.
oEctoderm- outermost layer which becomes the nervous system, sensory
receptors ( eyes, ears, nose) and skin parts (nails, hair).
oMesoderm- the middle layer which becomes the circulatory, skeletal,
muscular,
excretory and reproductive systems
oOrganogenesis- process of organ formation during the 1st 2 months of pre-
3 Layers of Embryo form, that support systems for the embryo develop rapidly:
oPlacenta- Life support system that consists of a disk-
shaped group of tissues in which small blood vessels from
the mother and offspring intertwine but do not
join.
oUmbilical cord- contains 2 arteries and one veins that
connects the baby to the placenta.
oAmnion- bag or an envelope that contains a clear fluid
which the developing
embryo floats
Fetal Period ( 2-7 months after conception)
Growth and development continue dramatically during this period. The details of
the developmental process are as follows:
A. 3 Months after conception- fetus is about 3 inches long and weighs about 1
ounce; fetus has become active , moves its arms and legs, open and closes its
mouth and moves its head; the face, forehead, eyelids, nose, chin can now be
distinguished and also the upper arms, lower arms, hands and lower limbs;
the genitals can now be identified as male or female.
B. 4 months after conception- fetus is about 6 inches long and weighs 4 to 7
ounces; growth spurt occurs in the body’s lower parts; pre-natal reflexes are
stronger; mother feels arm and leg movements from the first time.
C. 5 months after conception- fetus is about 12 inches long and weighs close to a
pound; structures of the skin (fingernails, toenails)have formed; fetus is more
active.
D. 6 months after conception- fetus is about 14 inches long; weighs one and half
pound; eyes and eyelids are completely formed; fine layer of head covers the head;
grasping reflex is present and irregular movements occur.
E. 7 months after conception- fetus is about 16 inches long and weighs 3pounds
F. 8 and 9 months after conception- fetus grows longer and grains substantial
weight, about 4 pounds
TECHNOLOGY AND HAZARDS TO
PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT
Teratology
Field that investigates the causes of congenital defects. A teratogen is
that which causes birth defects. It comes from the Greek word “tera” which
means “monster.”
Clusters of Hazards to
Pre-natal Development
1. Prescription and nonprescription drugs
2. Psychoactive Drugs
- Include nicotine, caffeine and illegal
include prescription and nonprescription drugs. drugs such as marijuana, cocaine
and heroin
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome- heavy
Antibiotic -example of prescription drug drinking by women which is cluster of
that can be harmful. abnormalities that appears in the children.
Maternal heroin addicts deliver smaller
Diet pills, Aspirin and Coffee- than average size babies with
nonprescription drugs more incidence of toxemia, premature
separation of placenta, retained
placenta.
Add Text Here
3. Environmental Hazards 4. Other Maternal Factors
Include radiation in jobsites and X rays, Rubella (German measles)- 1964-65,
environmental pollutants, toxic wastes and prolonged resulted in 30,000 prenatal and neonatal
exposure to heat in saunas and bath tabs. (new born) deaths and more than 20,000
Chromosomal Abnormalities are higher among affected infants who were born with
the offspring of fathers exposed to high levels of malformation including mental retardation,
radiation in their occupations. blindness, deafness and heart problems.
Radiations from X-rays can also affect the Syphilis- damages organs after they have
developing embryo and fetus, with the most formed. These damages include eye lesions,
dangerous time being the 1st several weeks after which can cause blindness and skin lesions.
conception. When this is present in birth, other
Toxic Wastes- carbon monoxide, mercury and problems involving central nervous system
lead caused defects in animals exposed in high doses. and gastrointestinal tract can develop.
Add Text Here
A mother can infect her child in three ways:
1) During gestation across the placenta
2) During delivery through contact with maternal blood or fluids
3) Postpartum through breastfeeding
Folic Acid- necessary for pregnant mothers.
- can reduce the risk of having a baby with serious birth defect of the
brain and spinal cord, called ‘ neutral tube.’
A baby with spina bifida , the most common neutral tube defect is
born with a spine that is not closed.
A baby with Down Syndrome, rarely is born to mother under age 30
but the risk increases after the mother reaches 30. By age 40, the
probability is slightly over 1 in 100, and by age 50 it is almost 1 in 10. The
risk is also higher before age 18.
5. Paternal Factors
Father exposure lead, radiation,
certain pesticides and petrochemicals
may cause abnormalities in sperm that
lead to miscarriage or diseases such as
childhood cancer.
Add Text Here
HUMAN LIFE
BEGINS AT
CONCEPTION
o An unborn baby of 8 weeks is not essentially different
from one of 18 weeks or 28 weeks. From conception
the zygote, the embryo and the fetus are undeniably
human life.
o Human life begins from the moment of conception.
o The womb is supposed to be the safest of all places for
human development.
o The development takes place in 3 stages proves that the
developing embryo in a mothers womb is truly a
human being.
